Mike Ejeagha, the revered Nigerian highlife musician and folklorist, passed away on Friday night after a prolonged 16-year battle with prostate cancer.
His eldest son, Emma Ejeagha, confirmed the news in a telephone conversation with our reporter on Saturday.
The iconic musician died at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu at the age of 95.
According to Emma, the elder Ejeagha was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2006 and had been in and out of hospital since then.
His health deteriorated significantly two weeks ago, prompting another round of hospitalisation.
Although he was initially stabilised and discharged, he was rushed back to the hospital last Tuesday, unfortunately, he passed away shortly thereafter.
“Papa died at exactly 8 p.m. on Friday, and his body has been deposited in the morgue. I was with him during his final moments. I will meet with my family in the morning to break the news to them,” Emma said.
He described his father as a peace-loving man and a genius, noting that before his death, Ejeagha had instructed that his body should not be embalmed or kept in the morgue for too long.
A cultural icon, Ejeagha was celebrated for his distinct style of Igbo folk music, which blended traditional wisdom with melodic storytelling.
In 2024, his 1983 classic, Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche, resurfaced in popular culture after it was featured in a viral dance skit by comedian Chukwuebuka Emmanuel Amuzie, popularly known as Brain Jotter.
The skit sparked a global dance challenge, bringing renewed attention to Ejeagha’s musical legacy.
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